YES! The hospitality industry can reopen on June 1: all the do’s and don’ts at a glance
Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the new coronavirus measures today at his press conference following a crisis meeting. And they are somewhat more optimistic than the measures reported earlier. These are the key points.
The hospitality industry may open its doors on June 1 at 12:00 noon. And no, that does not mean midnight, because things could still go wrong then – party all night long; you will not be the only one who feels the need for it, but that party is not happening. You will have to wait just a little longer.
That also applies to hospitality entrepreneurs. Many had fervently hoped for a little more leniency from the government, just before a hot Ascension Day. The upcoming opening on Monday, June 1, actually comes too late for them. The letter from entrepreneurs in The Hague to the government; it was to no avail.
Eating out, what is and isn’t allowed?
People from the same household do not have to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from one another in the hospitality industry. The initial idea was that all guests would have to keep their distance from one another – but that is of course completely ridiculous if you are from the same household. Whether people actually come from the same household will not be checked. The hospitality entrepreneur will merely ask them. So people are expected to take personal responsibility.
Inside, 30 guests are allowed, not counting staff. The latter differs from what was reported earlier – a few weeks ago, the limit was 30 people in total. That is ‘difficult’ to arrange, according to Rutte. Staff will therefore not be included in the count after all.
It is still the case that everyone must sit at a table, that there will be a health check at the door and that reservations are mandatory for indoor dining.
The new measures for restaurants and cafés
- a maximum of 30 guests (excluding staff);
- visitors must make a reservation;
- everyone keeps a distance of 1.5 metres (except people from the same household);
- a preliminary screening conversation will assess whether a visit poses any risks.
- There is no maximum number of people on terraces. However, everyone must sit at a table and keep a distance of 1.5 metres (except people from the same household).
If the coronavirus remains under control, the measures will be relaxed as of July 1 and restaurants and cafés will be allowed to accommodate a maximum of 100 guests. See the schedule below as well.
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